Robbie Neilson says Hearts must win against Hibs no matter what happens as he provided positive news on Andy Halliday's availability.
The Jambos go into the Scottish Cup fourth-round Edinburgh derby at Easter Road in flying form after a stunning five-goal thumping win over Aberdeen under the lights at Tynecastle midweek. It moved the Gorgie men nine points ahead of Jim Goodwin's side and seven in front of Livingston in the race to finish third behind Celtic and Rangers.
That result will have his men bursting for the derby to come around but Neilson has warned it is a whole different ball game as he named aggression, fight to compete and calmness to play football as three key areas for success when the rivals lock horns. Speaking ahead of the weekend, he said: “Sunday is a different ball game. It's always great to get a result like Wednesday’s but I spoke to the players after the game and said: 'You can pat yourselves on the back for a couple of minutes, but now it's about Sunday.'
READ MORE: Robbie Neilson admits Hearts' win over Aberdeen means NOTHING as he reveals half-time message
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“It's important, we have to win on Sunday no matter what happens. The most important thing in a derby is to have that aggression and fight to compete, but you also need to show the calmness to go and play.
“I thought the goals came at the right times for us against Aberdeen and sometimes that can change the flow of a game. The pleasing thing for me was that we showed that aggression on the front foot, going up and pressing the game, winning balls high up the pitch. Sometimes we gave away free-kicks up there.”
Hearts' ranks received a major boost with Stephen Kingsley's return midweek and they will be further aided by Halliday for the derby, who looks on course to be available.
He continued: “I was pleased to get Kingsley on in midweek. The plan was to give him 15 or 20 minutes. Thankfully, we managed to do that with the way the game went.
“I'd expect Andy Halliday to be round about it for Sunday. As far as I know he is following the protocols pretty well so he should be available.”
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